A teacher residency model is an initial preparation program that immerses teacher candidates, also known as residents, in the life of a teacher through extensive, school-based experiences. Similar to rounds within a teaching hospital, teacher residents engage in teaching and learning through guided enactments situated in authentic elementary and middle level classroom contexts. In our teaching residency model, residents are coached, guided, and supported throughout their experiences and coursework in a manner that prepares them to be responsive educators within localized contexts.

Carolina Transition to Teaching Residency works within grades 2-5. Residents are able to pursue elementary education (grades 2-5) certification.

All residency placements occur within our partner districts. Currently, Carolina Transition to Teaching Residency partners with Colleton, Florence 3, Marlboro, and Orangeburg school districts.

You may have to move to another school within your district to complete your residency. Residents are clustered into cohorts to provide greater support and coaching, and you will be matched with mentor teacher. We work directly with our partner districts to facilitate the resident-match process.

Residents do not have to currently be employed by our partner districts. We eagerly welcome anyone who currently holds a bachelor’s degree and a passion for becoming a teacher to apply.

Courses are delivered through a hybrid model of both online and embedded, face-to-face experiences. Courses are primarily delivered remotely with face-to-face learning experiences embedded within Carolina Transition to Teaching Residency partner schools in Colleton and Orangeburg Counties.

A Carolina Teaching Resident’s schedule will mirror that of a full-time classroom teacher. As a resident you will attend all days that a classroom teacher is contractually required to attend school – from pre-planning until the end of the school year. Within this schedule there are some adjustments to accommodate for weekly graduate coursework that will occur onsite at our partner schools. Additionally, as a resident you will complete individual coursework, assignments, and lesson planning that will occur outside school hours.

Carolina Transition to Teaching Residency is an 18-month program. It begins in the summer (June) with a one-day orientation day at the University of South Carolina. Summer I (July) also includes one graduate course (three credits) and a two-week summer institute held virtually. Fall will include fifteen credits and spring includes fifteen credits.

As part of the Carolina Transition to Teaching Residency you will agree to teach for a minimum of three years in the school district in which you completed your year-long residency.

Carolina Transition to Teaching Residency is a full-time and intensive program. During the 18-month program, residents are immersed in graduate level coursework and fieldwork, while living the life of a teacher. Whereas some coursework is delivered face-to-face in partner schools, additional coursework, assignments, and planning occur individually outside the school day.

The Eligibility for the Carolina Transition to Teaching Residency is based on South Carolina State Certification Standards for both elementary and middle level areas.

All residents must meet all of the following requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in any subject area other than Education from a regionally accredited institution.

Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA with no praxis requirements.

Minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA with passing Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators.

Education Majors cannot be accepted for this residency program.

** All Praxis requirements can be met after applying to the residency program. Additional Praxis support will be provided to those selected for the residency program; however, all praxis requirements will need to be met before full acceptance to the graduate school can be awarded.

The application process is two-tiered. Just as the teaching residency includes two key components: the 18-month residency AND a 3-year teaching commitment to the county in which you completed your residency training (Colleton and Orangeburg); the application process is also two tiered.

1.     Application of Interest and Eligibility– Interested candidates need to complete the Carolina Transition to Teaching Residency application of interest and eligibility. This part of the application goes directly to the university and our district partners in Colleton and Orangeburg Counties. Once initial applications are submitted and reviewed, our district partners will identify the candidates who will apply to the program as teacher residents for this upcoming year. Please note that there will be additional opportunities to join a future cohort during the upcoming years, and recruitment for the 2022-2023 cohort is now underway.

2. University of South Carolina Graduate School Application – Candidates from the district review list will be contacted and asked to apply to our graduate school. This application will then be reviewed by the Carolina Transition to Teaching Residency faculty and the UofSC graduate school to ensure that the candidates accepted for this program meet the entrance criteria set forth by the University.

Click here to see the application checklist and timeline for more information.

The 2022-2023 Carolina Transition to Teaching Residency cohort will support 24 Carolina Teaching Residents.

Our ideal candidate brings the following attributes to the program:

A commitment to teach in rural South Carolina Schools for a minimum of three years (post-residency).

A passion for serving rural students from diverse backgrounds and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion.

A deep belief that all students can learn and a sense of responsibility for student learning.

A commitment to ongoing learning, collaboration and communication

Superior organizational skills in time management, planning, scheduling, coordinating resources, meeting deadlines.

Resilience and perseverance, especially when faced with challenges.

Have volunteered in, have prior work experience in, and/or make commitments to:

a) organizations that serve the academic, emotional, physical, social need of rural South Carolina students;

b) in rural South Carolina schools

Sustained engagement with children, families, and communities in rural South Carolina settings.

Successful work with diverse student populations (linguistic, cultural, social, economic) in both public school as well as youth and family support programs, early childhood settings, and/or social agencies.

Family, community and/or work experiences reflective of intentional commitments to equity, access, and inclusion.

Strong leadership ability.

Your professional references should be individuals who know you well and are able to speak to your potential as a Carolina Teaching Resident and in the teaching profession. References from individuals who have seen you interact with children and youth, especially managers/supervisors, are strongly encouraged. Academic references are especially important if you have a sub-3.0 GPA from your most recent degree.

The tuition for the Carolina Transition to Teaching Residency mirrors the cost of other graduate programs listed on graduate tuition and fees page in which you will be considered a full-time student. For more information please follow the link provided. https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/bursar/tuition_and_required_fees/index.php

Residents in the 2022-2023 cohort will receive a $21,000 living wage stipend with payments spread out throughout the course of the program.

To pursue federal financial supports you must first complete the FASFA form. This form can be accessed at  https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and needs to be completed by April 1, 2022. Use the Federal School Code 003448 to have results sent to the University of South Carolina.

To become a certified teacher in South Carolina, you must pass a series of Praxis tests. To become an elementary school teacher, you must pass:

• (5000 series) Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects

• Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K - 6

For additional information, be sure to check out our Praxis Supports page.

When you register to take any of the Praxis tests, you must enter the codes below. If you do not enter them for free during registration, the testing company may charge you a fee to do this later.

University of South Carolina - 5818

South Carolina State Department of Education - 8108

Be sure to enter these codes each time you take any Praxis series test.

No, you do not need to take the GRE.

All Carolina Transition to Teaching residents earn certification through CarolinaCAP.

By completing components shared on the timeline, residents will earn a temporary alternative certificate to begin their first year of teaching.

During the three-year commitment to teaching in your school district, former residents will complete the additional components of CarolinaCAP to earn their permanent alternative certificate.